Upgrade Nakamichi PA 7All power amp with mono blocks

@ellajeanelle thank you for your thoughts.  PS Audio sounds like a  decent upgrade for me.  I am also interested in their Stellar Gold pre-amp.  Have you used the Tyr mono blocks, or is your concern with other items in their portfolio.  I found the Bifrost 2/64 compared favorably with more expensive DACs.  That is my only experience with their equipment though.  I was not impressed with the Schitt pre-amp reviews.

@decooney funny you should mention the Elector.  It is on my short list for pre-amps along with the PS Audio Stellar Gold.  I will think about it.  My Crossover came from London (a real hassle, but worth it in the end).  I believe HiFi Heaven stocks the Elector here in the states.  I purchased my turntable and cartridge from them.  They are great.

@thriftyaudio if interested, I can ask my local contact who worked at Threshold for Pass what his charge is to update your PA-7, or what he did on the last one I saw there recently.  Im really enjoying the upgrades on my other Pass Forte amp fwiw.  

Last two times I was there he had 3-4 Stasis amps there as I recall, plus a PA-7. Gotta ship to NorCal though. Super packing and double box and not cheap to ship but he gets amps from all over b/c people want to keep them in play.   

i

thriftyaudio OP

In response to your question and If I may give you my advice, don’t fall into the trap of taking reviews, comparisons and hype as fact.  Specs can give you a reference but definitely don’t rely on them to tell you how musical any component is going to sound.  I think you’ve already answered your own question regarding Shiit.  I will say that the 3 components that I did try from them were their so-called top of their line and all 3 had issues and got sent back, after I had to deal with what seemed like endless back and forth arguments spanning several days with one of the worst customer services that I have ever experienced.  You are comparing apples to oranges.  My analogy between Schiit and Ps Audio is like comparing Ford to Mercedes.

I haven’t listened to the Stellar Gold yet, but do have the Stellar Gain Cell DAC/ preamp combo connected to the M700s and that sound is what I briefly described to you. I am sure that the Gold preamp won't disappoint you, but you aren’t going to get the full performance of it with your current Schiit DAC.

I jumped from the Stellar to their BHK series.  I bought the BHK components before the Stellar gold came out.  The Gold was released recently. If you are leaning toward the M700’s with the Stellar Gold preamp I’d plan on a new DAC also, but if I was in your shoes with your current assumed budget, I would get the M700s new and a used Stellar gain cell DAC/ preamp.  Unfortunately, the Gain Cell DACs are sold out new.   They will not disappoint, and you have 30 days no questions asked refunds.  You do pay the return shipping though.

@decooney thanks for the offer.  My unit was refurbished two years ago.

@decooney thanks for the offer. My unit was refurbished two years ago.

Well that’s great, and hopefully you can find a good path for next steps. Admittedly,  I was a little hyper-focused on trying different preamps having heard your model amp and speakers (both) at different times, and some understanding of how can they can sound given a great source, DAC, preamp, cables, room etc. Best of Luck on whatever you decide.